Plan the trip of a lifetime with S S Travel Agency
Tue, 01/17/2017 - 9:34am
admin
By:
Kari Sundberg, Eagle Editor
The Grygla Eagle recently sat down and conducted an interview with Sue Ann Sjulestad, who runs S S Travel Agency, based out of Goodridge, MN. S S Travel has really been picking up business, earning Sjulestad rewards and recognition within the larger company she works under, named KHM Travel. She can help with all of your vacation wants and needs, and also provides some pretty great advice. In addition, Sue Ann also runs a full-time daycare out of her home. She is married to Rick and has three children: Sami (19), Kaleb (15) and Mylee (8).
Enjoy our visit below!
When did S S Travel Agency begin? Officially in June of 2014.
What made you decide to start a travel agency business? I love to travel myself and I enjoy planning every single detail of vacations. I found myself helping other people plan their trips and always organizing the fine details for them. My husband told me 2-3 years ago, prior to starting my business, that I had to get into the travel agency business. I looked into it, but had reservations. In the meantime, I had helped a friend plan her daughter’s wedding out of state; that’s really what led to my decision to begin looking into it. Helping other people plan their trips made me realize that it wasn’t only my own vacations I enjoyed planning, but theirs, too. To me, planning a trip is just as much fun as going on the trip and can really be an adventure in itself!
What kind of training did you have to complete prior to this new endeavor? Well, there are many different companies a person can go through. I did a lot of research and decided on a company called KHM Travel, based out of Brunswick, Ohio. I went through weeks and weeks of their online training before finally completely a big exam and applying for my license.
KHM has 3,000 agents under them throughout the world. They establish certain relationships with suppliers; that’s how I can get better deals sometimes, thanks to their resources.
Do you do majority of the work yourself or do you go through KHM when booking travel? KHM has a support line we can call anytime with questions. They help all of their agents, if needed. There is also an online support group where all of us agents can help each other out for any specific vacations, travel needs or deals across the world. If I can’t find the answer myself, I know that one of the other agents can. If I’m ever unsure or question something, I double and triple check with them.
S S Travel does NOT charge a fee. This seems too good to be true, but we know it to be true! Can you explain this a little for our readers so they can grasp a better understanding of it? Yes, definitely. S S Travel Agency does not charge you any fees. How is this possible? Every travel that I book has a different commission. Whoever I book, based on the air, hotel, resort, air/hotel combos, etc., I get percentages off that and get commission. It all just really depends on the ‘who, what, where…’ My services to my clients are strictly free; I get paid back commissions through the variety of things that I book.
S S Travel has established many clients already. How many trips have you booked in the last couple of years? In 2.5 years, I have booked over 300 reservations. Some of those have included trips to Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Florida, and Nashville. I’ve also booked air to Germany, air to Philippines and air into Minneapolis. The business end of things is really starting to pick up where people ask me to book air and rental cars only. The pleasure end of things is a huge variety. Vacations in Cabo this last year have definitely been one of the best deals. Even Hawaii has come down a lot in cost.
What’s the go-to vacation your clients seem to want? All-inclusive vacations are taking over; everyone wants that convenience. I’ve expanded my clientele into Roseau and have been getting a lot of repeat customers who are taking 2nd and 3rd vacations. Rental houses are also pretty popular with travelers, along with quick trips to Vegas, Florida Keys or Disney trips.
With all those bookings, have certain rewards and benefits come your way? I just hit my Iatan card in December, which means I hit a certain goal within the company that gives me a few more perks. In fact, the highest level you can reach within our company, I will be hitting within the first two months of 2017. I love setting these different goals and reaching them; I’m a very competitive person!
Do you have any upcoming trips or deals that you are offering? I list different deals on my S S Travel Agency Facebook page, but people can always give me a call, too. Right now on my Facebook page, I have a couple different vacation deals shown: Minneapolis to Cabo on February 5-10 staying at the Riu Santa Fe, all-inclusive. Total price for two adults is $2,246.51 with resort transfers included. Also, Minneapolis to Extapa on February 7-12 staying at the Barcelo Ixtapa, all-inclusive. Total price for two adults is $2,274.78 with resort transfers included.
What can you tell people who are thinking about booking a trip? Use your travel agent; they are full of knowledge. Even if you don’t know where you want to go, give me a call. By the end of our conversation, you are going to know exactly what you’re looking to do and where you want to go.
Also, people don’t realize just how affordable vacations can truly be. Even the short trips to Minneapolis, Duluth, South Dakota….If you add up every penny spent on gas, treats at the gas station, hotels, shopping, souvenirs, restaurants, sight-seeing, etc., it all adds up! You don’t realize it, but in the end, when it’s all said and done, you could go away and do an all-inclusive for a few nights at the same cost.
Getting on an airplane doesn’t have to break the bank. You also get more bang for your buck and get to experience and see places you’ve never been.
Not one trip we’ve ever been on has been a waste of money. The memories, the sights, the experience…we talk about it for years to come.
What can you offer your clients through S S Travel Agency? Through me, we can get as personal as you want. Ask me anything. “What should I bring, what should I know, what do I need to do…” I even follow when my clients’ planes land! I’m not a huge agency so I can put that 1-1 touch on it. Also, if you find a deal, I can match it or do better, no matter what, as we have a price match guarantee.
I also offer a payment plan option so you don’t have to come up with everything all at once. I don’t want anyone to feel stressed when booking a vacation. It also goes without saying that if something should go wrong, you have us to fall back on. It’s really just more of a peace of mind and that’s what I’m here to help with.
How can interested travelers get in touch with you? Give me a call! Either 218-378-4708 or 218-686-2298. If it’s easier to email, my address is rick@gvtel.com. People can also check out my Facebook page, S S Travel Agency.